JohnnyL's 1980 GS550L Cafe Build

[Spyder]

I like those pods. Cost? Link? Might be a good alternative for me over K&N for my GSXR.

[JohnnyL]

Quick update...I choked up the money for some DNA filters. Thankfully....these filters actually fit between the carbs and the frame! I can't believe I ordered these on Tuesday and they arrived today(Friday) from....Patra, Greece! Whoa!

I also purchased a Kuryakyn oil catch can for a Harley Davidson. It came in Chrome but I painted it texture black like the engine.

I don't think I like the red fuel lines and breather lines. I'm probably going to change these out for black.

I received the eBay carbs yesterday and rebuilt #3, swapped out all the mains for 100's and set the floats at 23mm. #4 carb on the eBay set also had a broken float post. I will be starting the bike up later today to see how it runs.

[Spyder]

Wow, that looks great! I am still a fan of high gloss. Though, the with the type of build you have going on, the matte should look awesome. Kudos to your paint guy.

[bwringer]

DANG that looks nice.

I like the lettering. It might stave off a few of the "what kinda Harley izzat?" questions.

And yes, I've seriously gotten that question while standing next to a Suzuki. Indiana is not that far from Milwaukee...

[JohnnyL]

Can you swing by Plymouth (the UK one) and pick up my tank and panels etc. and get them painted as well please. Makes mine look like I painted it in the dark by the side of the motorway.

Sure! Always wanted to go to the UK.

I wonder if it would be possible to make the candy red glossy and deep, with the white and black a matte finish? Now that would be special.  looks great eather way

Yes it's possible but I already have enough $ wrapped up in the paint job on this. I've seen him do this on some helmets. Such a cool look.

Holy SH]T! That paint job is AWESOME!

I know right? I'm pretty stoked about it too!

I'd go for a semi gloss or matt on that paint job personally. When it's done well (which that is...) it looks great.

I decided to go with a matte finish. If I'm unhappy with it, I can always take it back to him at a later date and have him re-clear it in gloss. He said he has done that gold/candy red with a matte finish before and it looks killer.

[erki52]

Can you swing by Plymouth (the UK one) and pick up my tank and panels etc. and get them painted as well please. Makes mine look like I painted it in the dark by the side of the motorway.

[storm 64]

I wonder if it would be possible to make the candy red glossy and deep, with the white and black a matte finish? Now that would be special. 👍 looks great eather way🌞

[salty_monk]

I'd go for a semi gloss or matt on that paint job personally. When it's done well (which that is...) it looks great.

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Holy SH]T! That paint job is AWESOME!

[JohnnyL]

The painter just sent me some pics of the tank and seat. The red is a candy red over metallic gold. It hasn't been clear coated yet. He will color sand it with a 5000 grit and then spray clear coat over all the edges where there was mask. He will then color sand it again and then clear coat it. The mask lines will be indeterminable. He's asking me if I want to go with a matte clear or a gloss clear. Any opinions?

[Spyder]

According to this chart, a US model ‘80 GS 550L had 92.5 Main jets.

I stand corrected. I wouldn't have thought they would be so small. But, I have never had a 550 apart before either. Carry on...

[JohnnyL]

Whilst you can go up a size on the pilots it's normally not necessary even with pods, just open the screws a bit.. say 3.5 turns ish

The float numbers were high so it would have been running rich

I thought I read somewhere that if you go up 3 main sizes, you go up one pilot size.? I think my running poorly was due to a combination of problems. Floats too high, broken float post and too large of a main.

eBay carbs arrive today and I will be swapping out the broken carb for a good one. We'll see how it runs after this is done.

[salty_monk]

Whilst you can go up a size on the pilots it's normally not necessary even with pods, just open the screws a bit.. say 3.5 turns ish

The float numbers were high so it would have been running rich

[JohnnyL]

Going all the way down to #100 jets seems WAY too low. I am thinking the stock jet is around #112 (look it up because I don't know for sure). With pods, and a free flowing pipe, you'll need to go at least one size up from stock, possibly 2 sizes. Also will need to raise your needles at least one notch. Granted, you don't have an airbox in your way, and it's easy to remove them, but why do more work than you have too. LOL

Stock main was 92.5. Stock pilot was 40. Going up to 100 on the main and 42.5 on the pilot.

[Rich82GS750TZ]

According to this chart, a US model ‘80 GS 550L had 92.5 Main jets.